How to Care for and Re-Waterproof Your Sighthound's Softshell Coat

If your sighthound wears one of our softshell coats, a little bit of care goes a long way in keeping it performing exactly as it should. Here's everything you need to know about washing, drying and re-waterproofing, so your pointy-faced friend stays dry and comfortable whatever the weather throws at you.

First, a bit about how the fabric works

The DG DogGear softshell coats are made from a technical fabric that does two jobs at once. The outer layer is treated with something called DWR (Durable Water Repellent), which is what makes water bead up and roll off rather than soaking in. Beneath that sits an internal membrane, which provides the actual waterproofing.

The important thing to know is that even if the outer DWR treatment starts to wear off, the membrane underneath is still doing its job. But keeping that outer layer in good condition means your coat will perform at its best for much longer.

How to wash your coat

This is where most people accidentally cause damage without realising it, so it's worth getting right.

Wash sparingly, as washing will affect the waterproofing treatment. Use a detergent designed for technical or functional textiles. Brands like Nikwax Tech Wash or Granger's Performance Wash are good options. Regular laundry detergent, fabric softener and bleach are all a no, as they break down the DWR treatment and can damage the membrane in a way that can't be repaired.

Wash the coat inside out with all zippers and Velcro closed, at 30 to 40°C, and rinse thoroughly afterwards to make sure no detergent residue is left behind.

Drying

The best option is to air dry in a well-ventilated area. To speed things up, wash coats on a warm day and air dry outdoors on a clothesline. 

How do you know when it's time to re-waterproof?

The easiest way to check is to run cold water over the outer fabric. If the water beads up and rolls off, you're good. If it starts soaking in and forming dark, damp patches, it's time to reapply.

As a general guide, re-waterproofing every 3 to 4 washes works well.

How to re-waterproof

For our coats, we recommend using a spray-on impregnation rather than a wash-in product. Because our coats have a fleece or fabric lining, wash-in treatments can affect the softness and breathability of the inner material, which isn't great for your dog's comfort.

A spray-on product gives you much more control, letting you treat just the outer fabric without getting anything on the lining, collar or belly area.

Spray evenly onto a clean, dry coat and leave it to dry thoroughly, usually around 24 hours. Products like Nikwax TX. Direct Spray-On or Granger's Performance Repel work well.

Nano impregnation

If you want to go one step further, nano-based waterproofing sprays are worth looking into. They use nanoparticles to create an ultra-thin invisible barrier on the fabric surface that repels water, dirt and oils without clogging the fabric's pores, so breathability is fully maintained.

They tend to be longer lasting, often surviving 5 to 20 washes, and are usually PFC and PFAS-free, making them a more eco-friendly option too.

You can find nano waterproofing sprays on Amazon UK or through outdoor gear retailers. Searching for "nano waterproofing spray for fabrics" or "nano textile protector" should bring up compatible options.

Quick summary

Wash gently using a technical fabric detergent; avoid softeners and bleach; air-dry in a well-ventilated area, and re-waterproof with a spray-on product every few washes or whenever water stops beading. That's really all there is to it.

A little bit of care makes a big difference in how long your coat lasts and how well it protects your sighthound.